AMD today announced its collaboration with Valve to deliver ATI Catalyst graphics driver updates via its Steam platform, a leading platform for PC games and digital entertainment. Steam users can now detect and install the latest ATI Catalyst driver for their ATI Radeon graphics card directly from within Steam. Valve’s most recent Steam Hardware Survey shows that fully 87 percent of DirectX 11 gamers are enjoying ATI Radeon or ATI Mobility Radeon hardware.

“Steam represents an evolution for PC and online gaming, and the availability of ATI Catalyst graphics driver updates directly on the Steam platform can help further enhance the PC gaming experience for users of ATI Radeon products,” said Ben Bar-Haim, corporate vice president of software for AMD. “AMD Gaming Evolved and Valve share the belief that ‘Gamers Come First’ – we now have the opportunity to work together to help ensure the best possible experience for PC gamers.”

”Valve is extremely pleased to be working with AMD to provide automatic driver updates for AMD’s leading edge products on Steam,” said Jason Holtman, director of business development at Valve. “PC gamers demand the most of their gaming hardware and providing these updates automatically will help ensure those playing via Steam are playing at optimal performance.”

This announcement is another example of the AMD Gaming Evolved initiative in action. The program, which represents AMD’s deep commitment to PC gamers, PC game development and the PC gaming industry, is dedicated to creating the best possible gaming experience on the PC. With auto-notification of driver updates delivered via Steam to users with ATI Radeon graphics hardware, this relationship will provide gamers the opportunity to optimize their PC gaming experience.

What makes me wonder even more is why not use incrimental update system? Instead downloading 160MB package each time, each user would on average download 20MB. Just drivers and minor changes in CCC if the driver requires any.

It is there. It is just disabled because AMD/ATI said, "It does work 100% of the time." There is even a article on tomshardware.com about fixing a glitch with the drivers that shows how to re-enable the driver update option.

Second, I have 10.8a because Windows 7 update manager recommended the update. This means there will be 3 things harassing me about updates whenever they are released and I don't think I will like that.

To ease confusion, I think AMD will release (WHQL release) "AMD" interface when "AMD Radeon" products come out. That's the most sensible move I can think of. Then again, AMD tends to surprise us with its wisdom (or lack of it) sometimes.